Airtel 5G ⚡ Review: Factors I considered before choosing Airtel 5G over MTN 5G in Lagos, Nigeria, and much more (like speed tests, operational use, etc.)
There is more about the Airtel 5G router than meets the eye. Within my review, I try to highlight as much as possible. Across time, I'll update this post as more findings are unearthed. Stay tuned.
On Monday, Airtel Nigeria launched its fifth-generation (5G) mobile network, following MTN’s 5G launch the previous year (September 2022). Airtel 5G launched in 4 states for a start, these include; Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, and Rivers.
I will not go into detail about what 5G makes possible - in short, anything you can do with a 4G network connection you can do 10x faster with 5G.
On paper, Airtel’s 5G router (product named, ZLT X25 Pro) is a 5G wireless router capable of up to 1.2Gbps on 5G and up to 574Mbps on 4G. This means anything from video and live streaming to online meetings, gaming and smart home solutions, just glides-through on the web. No more buffering or high latency.
On 5G, everything just works. Though, as the technology is more widely adopted and used across the world, more applications would be discovered and shared.
Speaking of adoption, since Nigeria adopted 5G in 2022, MTN (being the first operator to launch 5G in Nigeria in 2022) are predicting a 10% 5G population coverage by end of 2023.
Airtel Nigeria have now stepped into the 5G market to help speed up that prediction.
Currently, there are two major 5G mobile network providers in Nigeria - MTN & Airtel.
During the 5G rave toward the end of 2022, I waited to see more development before hopping onto the revolutionary technology. Similar to how Airtel waited for almost a year before entering the 5G space then-dominated by MTN. 👀 This wait lead to more insight and advancement on Airtel’s side, I believe. I’ll share more about this later on in the post.
Yesterday, after much research and gained confidence, I decided to purchase the Airtel 5G over MTN 5G. I would like to state that my choice was biased, not based on any affiliation with Airtel or MTN, but my residential location in Lagos and technical analysis which you’ll read about below.
Now, you’re all caught up. Let’s delve deeper into my findings.
Factors I considered before choosing Airtel 5G over MTN 5G in Lagos, Nigeria
You want to get into the 5G rave, right? But you’ve got questions. Trust me, I did too. 😄 Before I spent a dime, these factors helped me decide Airtel 5G over MTN 5G.
Disclaimer: I’m not saying Airtel 5G is better than MTN 5G tech-wise or the other way around. In earnest, I haven’t actually used MTN 5G, but from the surface looking in and with experience using Wi-Fi Routers and tech-stuff, this is why I made my decision.
Availability (Is 5G available within your area?)
Although, the Airtel 5G router also boosts internet speeds on the 4G network, it's advisable to confirm first that there are 5G network masts mounted within your location. For Airtel 5G network coverage, you can check using the link. For MTN 5G network coverage, you can check using the link.
Price
The MTN 5G router sells for 50k. While Airtel's 5G router sells for 30k. No difference in router quality or feature offering (I presume). When Airtel launched their 5G router, this week Monday, they said they subsidized the price (perhaps and I presume, for the first months of sale) so they can give Nigerians a lower cost to entry for their 5G network. I personally think the price move is a good USP (unique selling point) by Airtel to compete with MTN in the 5G market.
Priorities
If you're based in Lagos, MTN seems to be prioritizing high-rise locations such as the Island, Ikeja GRA, and others. While Airtel is more widespread - spanning the reach of Lagos, even including Ikorodu. Seemingly, Airtel has more network masts *currently* than MTN in Lagos (I presume). If you're in Lagos and you live on the mainland, chances are, you may find that Airtel 5G coverage is available in your residential area but MTN 5G coverage is not.
From images above, the black X marks the Ikeja GRA environs. Map A shows more 5G masts installed on Lagos mainland. Map B show lesser 5G masts installed on Lagos mainland.
Except MTN have not updated the 5G coverage data on their website (which would be poor digital operations, BTW!), it’s clear that there are *currently* (as at 21st June 2023) more Airtel 5G network masts installed on Lagos Mainland than MTN 5G network masts. Even Ikorodu has a good number of Airtel 5G network masts installed within their vicinity.
What does this mean?
Well, for one, it means, if your residential address in Lagos is on the mainland, and you buy Airtel 5G, you will likely receive 5G connection on your Airtel 5G router (you’ll get the 5G experience). If your residential address is on the Island or other high-rise locations such as Ikeja GRA, Opebi, ‘South of Lagos’, and VI, you will get the MTN 5G and Airtel 5G experience.
In other words, Airtel 5G network covers more ground in Lagos than MTN 5G network *currently*.
What do you get with Airtel 5G router?
All of the below for the subsidized price of 30k (compared to MTN’s 50k). 👀
10x faster speed connection compared to 4G.
Low latency, no lag, no buffering.
Connect up to 64 devices (better than MTN’s 32 device-limit).
8k streaming.
Most affordable 5G router with ₦30,000 offer (MTN 5G is 50k).
More 5G network masts available on Lagos mainland than MTN.
Launched in 4 states (Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Ogun) with plan for nationwide coverage.
More insightful features (I only learned these after I purchased and used the device):
Comes with an (external) Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) box. Essentially, a 5000mAh power bank. Just like most modern smartphones. The power bank (battery) only powers the router, so it could last anywhere from 5 - 13 hours on a single charge (or unplugged from electricity) (I presume). Though, I would test and share results with the next update to this post.
Outputs two Wi-Fi names or SSIDs when turned on, one normal 4G and one 5G. Normally, when you turn on your Wi-Fi or Mi-Fi device, and go to your phone’s Wi-Fi interface to connect, you’ll only find one Wi-Fi name (technically known as SSIDs) for your Wi-Fi device. Thereafter, you’ll click on the Wi-Fi name and connect. For the Airtel 5G router, it’s a little different. Instead of one Wi-Fi name (SSID), it’s two. The first is the model name of the device. The second is the model name of the device + ‘_5G‘ appended to it. The first is for a 4G connection. The second is for a 5G connection. More on this feature below.
4G or 5G connection variety. Following from the previous point, I discovered, the router is setup in such a way that allows for backward compatibility with 4G network connection, while still boosting 4G speeds. Let me explain. To have the complete 5G experience you need a 5G network, 5G router, and 5G-enabled device. Airtel 5G provides the 5G network + router, leaving one more important component. You need a 5G-enabled device OR 5G-enabled Wi-Fi ‘chip’ model to access 5G speeds on your device (smartphone or PC/Laptop). In case you do not have the last component - a 5G-enabled device OR 5G-enabled Wi-Fi ‘chip’ model - Airtel 5G router is built to offer you the 4G connection option only. Though, this 4G connection is performance-boosted compared to normal router 4G connections.
Connects up to 64 devices with a caveat (32 devices of each of the two Wi-Fi names or SSIDs). …More information to come with the next update to this post, so stay tuned!
How fast is the internet speed of the Airtel 5G?
Here, I’ll like to tell you, “Welcome to the future of digital connections, where everything just works.“ 😄
The answer is in my excitement. The speeds are ridiculous. For the average internet user, it’s more than you could ask for.
Movie/video content on streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV, glide-through and gloss-over the screen. Meetings on Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, are too smooth you almost forget it’s a video call. I’ve actually not tried it on gaming yet but I’m sure the effect is equally astounding.
For the tech nerds and geeks out there who are interested in the numbers, here you go:
Average 4G network speeds in Lagos range from 2Mbps - 50Mbps from the worst to the best 4G network providers. 5G speeds from my test ranged from 100Mbps - 250Mbps.
My 5G speed test results on Airtel 5G gave me the chills. For real.
Enough said in this department. I mean…🤷🏾♂️, it speaks for itself.
How do you use the Airtel 5G router?
…More information to come with the next update to this post, so stay tuned!
With the details shared so far you should be better informed as you make your decision between Airtel 5G & MTN 5G.
Still need more information? An update will do just that. (Comment what you’d like to know. I’ll do my findings and share it in the next update.)
Thanks for reading. ✌🏾👨🏾💻
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